Daily Clips for November 11, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Florida GOP looks to stymie health-care overhaul By William E. Gibson and Bob LaMendola Orlando Sentinel Fresh from their election victories, Florida Republicans say they plan to remake the nation's new health-care law to reduce the role of government, limit malpractice claims and give doctors more incentive to serve Medicare patients. Marco Rubio leads showdown on budget ‘pork’ By Lesley Clark Miami Herald Not yet in office, Florida Sen.-elect Marco Rubio will play a significant role next week in what promises to be the first post-election test of tea party-backed lawmakers' ability to deliver on campaign pledges. Former Sink running mate may be next to chair Florida Dems By News Service of Florida Florida Times-Union Fresh from an unsuccessful turn as Democrat Alex Sink's running mate, former Sen. Rod Smith said Wednesday he may be willing to assume another against-the-odds task: leadership of the state's battered Democratic Party. Sen. Don Gaetz to head redistricting committee By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News State Sen. Don Gaetz, already in line for the 2012 Senate presidency, got a second scoop of political clout Wednesday with the chairmanship of a committee that will draw the boundaries of other lawmakers' districts. FLORIDA POLITICS John Thrasher to chair influential Senate committee By Matt Dixon Florida Times-Union State Sen. John Thrasher was picked Wednesday to serve as chairman of the Rules Committee, one of the Senate’s most powerful arms. Governor-elect Rick Scott issues ethics code By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Gov.-elect Rick Scott ordered a one-year lobbying ban for members of his transition staff and volunteers Tuesday. Regulatory reforms could present ‘first test’ for incoming Gov. Scott By Travis Pillow Florida Independent Throughout his campaign, Gov.-elect Rick Scott talked about the importance of reducing the “regulatory burden” on Florida businesses. House freshmen class wraps orientation By Jim Ash Florida Capital News They came and they saw, whether they conquer remains to be seen. Sen. Rubio: 'Tea Party Poster Boy' Or GOP Insider? By Greg Allen NPR One of the stars of the Senate's incoming freshman class — which includes at least 12 new Republicans — is Florida's Marco Rubio. Federal agents looked into unusual Wexler campaign investment two years ago By George Bennett Palm Beach Post Federal agents took an interest two years ago in a peculiar $150,000 real estate investment by former Democratic U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler's campaign, Wexler's former top aide and a businessman confirmed today. POLITICAL RACES Davis 'seriously considering' run for mayor By Christian M. Wade Tampa Tribune Ending months of speculation, former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis said Wednesday he is "seriously considering" a bid to become Tampa's mayor in the March elections. Supervisor of Elections finds box of 500 uncounted absentee ballots By Kevin D. Thompson Palm Beach Post In a county known for hanging chads, slow recounts and chaotic elections, the marathon recount for the Palm Beach County School Board District 6 seat has started to carve its own place in history. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Call for more Gulf damage study at Mote gathering By Kate Spinner Sarasota Herald-Tribune Fish in the Gulf of Mexico will continue to get sick, die or fail to reproduce as a result of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, scientists agree. LGBT Obama's Justice Department asks Supreme Court not to touch gay military ban The Associated Press Miami Herald Related: Little risk to war from gays in combat, says Pentagon study group The Obama administration urged the Supreme Court Wednesday to keep the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military in place while a federal appeals court considers the issue. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Lawmakers target Citizens Property Insurance, Medicaid within Florida to spur economic growth By Jim Turner TC Palm Expect a few statewide programs to disappear, Citizens Property Insurance and Medicaid within Florida to be revamped, and bureaucratic regulations shed in an attempt to spur economic growth, as lawmakers face a $2.4 billion deficit in the state’s coming federal stimulus-free budget. With new focus on trimmer government, doubts surface on high-speed rail costs By Robert Trigaux St. Petersburg Times Are the wheels getting wobbly and in danger of falling off the high-speed rail project planned and partially funded to connect downtown Tampa and Orlando? Florida receives $1 million workforce grant By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent The U.S. Department of Labor announced Monday that it would award Florida, along with a handful of other states, a grant to fund workforce databases. Will Florida see construction jobs boom? Moody's says yes, others, no By Mark Puente St. Petersburg Times Hammer and nails could be flying off the shelves next year if the predictions of one economic forecaster come true. Obama claims most stimulus projects have come in under budget, faster than expected St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Politifact By Robert Farley and Michael Grabell President Barack Obama says the time is ripe for immediate investment in infrastructure projects such as highways and bridges. HEALTH AND SENIORS Senate Republicans joining Florida lawsuit against health-care overhaul By Bart Jansen Ft. Myers News-Press The Senate’s top Republican is recruiting colleagues to join him in supporting Florida’s challenge to the federal health care reform law. Override could hit docs' dispensing By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Florida lawmakers could revive a plan to limit the costs of drugs that doctors dispense to workers-compensation patients --- bucking Gov. Charlie Crist, medical groups and a major Republican donor. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES FL Vet Connects By Whitney Ray Capitol News Service As American prepares to honor those who served our country, stunning statistics about retired soldiers still haunt our nation. Angst growing over immigration policies By Alfonso Chardy Miami Herald Fear is spreading among many day laborers in South Florida after Republicans won control of the House of Representatives, a move immigration activists say will make it more difficult -- if not impossible -- to legalize millions of undocumented immigrants. ICE confirms fingerprint-sharing program Secure Communities is mandatory By Elise Foley Florida Independent Immigration and Customs Enforcement official David Venturella started off a meeting with San Francisco law enforcement leaders on Tuesday with an apology.